Criminal law: European network of national contact points for crime victims. Initiative Belgium

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Ewa KLAMT (EPP-ED, Germany) and made several amendments to the Belgian initiative. (Please see the summary date 19/03/03.) Other amendments include the following: - the network will be responsible for using and promoting the results of the projects directly linked to the application of mediation in criminal cases, and give cooperation with NGOs an institutional framework. The latter involves drawing up a code of conduct to regulate cooperation with NGOs, municipal government and other government organisations and to protect those concerned and the institutions involved against abuses; - the Commission has the task of designating contact points; - meetings of the network will be held in Brussels, and exceptionally, they may held in any of the Member States who have designated contact points; - Member States' representatives must make their decisions on certain matters unanimously.�